Helmar “This Great Game” Card #47 – Eddie Mathews

This Helmar “This Great Game” card presents Eddie Mathews, the hard-hitting third baseman whose power, poise, and presence defined the Milwaukee Braves of the 1950s. Depicted in the classic Braves uniform, Mathews grips his bat calmly, as if preparing for one of the countless home runs that made him a feared opponent and an enduring baseball legend.

Edwin Lee Mathews was born in Texarkana, Texas, in 1931, and rose through the Boston Braves organization as a can’t-miss prospect. When the team moved to Milwaukee in 1953, Mathews became the cornerstone of the franchise—a young slugger whose combination of quick hands and raw strength made him one of the most powerful hitters of his generation.

As the only player to represent the Braves in all three of their home cities—Boston, Milwaukee, and Atlanta—Mathews’ career spanned an era of change, both for the team and for baseball itself. He teamed with Hank Aaron to form one of the most formidable power duos in baseball history, leading the Braves to the 1957 World Series championship.

Over 17 seasons, Mathews hit 512 home runs, a total that still ranks among the most by a third baseman. He led the National League twice in home runs and earned 12 All-Star selections. Known for his disciplined eye at the plate, he combined patience and ferocity—a rare balance that made him a model of offensive excellence.

Mathews’ career was also marked by consistency and leadership. Though quiet by nature, his determination inspired teammates, and his power bat became the backbone of Braves lineups through the 1950s and early 1960s. His 1953 season—47 home runs at age 21—remains one of the greatest rookie performances in baseball history.

Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978, Eddie Mathews stands as one of the premier third basemen ever to play the game—a man whose power and professionalism embodied the golden age of baseball.

Helmar’s “This Great Game” series pays tribute to the timeless figures who elevated baseball to art. Card No. 47 honors Eddie Mathews—the Braves’ stoic slugger and a true master of the long ball.

Original gouache painting by Sanjay Verma.